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Q – Is it true that while you are under homoeopathic treatment, your illness gets worse before it becomes better?

A – You are probably referring to a Homoeopathic aggravation. But in this case your illness does not get worse. Let me explain: Sometimes when a correct homoeopathic remedy is given to a patient he/she may experience a slight increase in their symptoms; in some cases there may be fever. This is called a homoeopathic aggravation. It simply indicates that the patient’s immune system is responding to the remedy. Please note that in a homoeopathic aggravation, only the symptoms get worse; the pathology does not. A patient suffering from psoriasis may experience an increase in itching without the lesions actually increasing in size or number; in fact he/she will note that in a few weeks these will start reducing. Similarly a patient suffering from frequent migraines may experience a headache soon after the correct remedy, but in the course of the next few weeks and months will note a decrease in the frequency and intensity of the attacks. It is not necessary that homoeopathic aggravations occur in all cases, but where they do they are short lived. The patient should get in touch with his homoeopathic physician at this time so that he can do the needful to manage the aggravation. It is important that no other medicine: homoeopathic or allopathic be taken at this time without the consent of the physician. An aggravation suppressed means an opportunity lost in determining whether the patient did actually respond to the remedy given. An aggravation of symptoms, where it does occur, is therefore a good sign. It indicates to the patient that the remedy he has selected for the patient is working and that he should continue the same line of treatment.

A – Vitamins in themselves are essential nutrients that are required in very small amounts for proper functioning of the body. The body is unable to synthesize these in the required amounts and so they must be provided by food. In most cases a well balanced diet supplies most of the vitamin needs of a healthy person. Each vitamin has a specific function to perform in the body and its deficiency may lead to a specific condition. Severe vitamin deficiencies will only occur in a very poor diet. Deficiencies are common in India because of a large fraction of the population is undernourished. On the other hand, a lot of the popular foods nowadays are highly refined and processed, and a diet which excludes fresh and natural foods is likely to result in deficiency of essential nutrients. Also fad diets aimed at weight loss should be undertaken with caution (preferably under the guidance of a qualified nutritionist) because if protracted they can lead to deficiencies. There is a tendency to take vitamin supplements over and above the required daily requirement with the hope of keeping better health, warding off infections and even fighting cancer. As far as the latter is concerned clinical trails have not able to establish any role of vitamins in preventing cancer. In fact some trials ended with the worry that vitamins might do more harm than good in this regard. Further the use of vitamin C in the prevention/treatment of the common cold and respiratory infections remains controversial, with ongoing research. In clinical trails no significant reduction in the risk of developing colds has been observed; in people who developed colds while taking vitamin C, no difference in severity of symptoms has been seen overall; no significant benefits have been observed of starting vitamin C after the onset of cold symptoms. On the other hand the possible side effects of Vitamin C mega-dosage are also being researched. These range from acidity, indigestion, diarrhea to development of calcium oxalate crystals, risk of abortions, development of arthritis, erosion of teeth and many more. It seems therefore that it would be judicious to resort to vitamin supplements in case of deficiencies and when they are prescribed by a physician. In all other cases the focus should be on a balanced, healthy and natural diet which provides vitamins in sufficient quantities.

Q – Can homoeopathy work on old patients-80 years old plus?

A – Aging is not a disease, rather a series of processes that continue throughout the life cycle. Age related changes include deterioration in vision and hearing, dental problems, osteoporosis (weakening of bones), deterioration of memory. Loss of muscle strength and vigor, decreased sexual drive, hypertension, diabetes, risk of heart disease, etc. A balanced diet, regular exercise, moderation in some habits like alcohol and complete avoidance of habits like smoking, maintaining a regular hobby…in short adopting a healthy lifestyle can help a person age in a healthy manner. Homoeopathy is effective in patients of all age groups: from the pediatric (children) to the geriatric (old age). The age related complaints mentioned above may not have a cure in any system of medicine but in cases where any one symptom is particularly distressing Homoeopathy can provide symptomatic relief. Many elderly patients may be suffering from chronic diseases for many years; in such cases the emphasis is to give symptomatic relief and make the patient comfortable. This would also be the approach in terminally ill patients. Cure can be hoped for in complaints or diseases of a more recent onset that are not necessarily related to old age; for example an elderly patient who suddenly developed an anal fissure and who had never had this problem through his life was treated successfully for his complaint with a few months of homoeopathic treatment.

Q – Is homoeopathy doing something for hair treatment?

A – It is normal to shed some hair daily, but major hair loss is very often a cause of concern for patients. Some common hair problems are:• Inherited baldness: poor chances of recovery.• Male pattern and female pattern baldness: Both can be inherited and are linked to hormones. They are not considered diseases.• Stress related hair loss: This could be due to emotional stress or stress on the system as after a debilitating disease, or after the delivery of a child. This type of baldness can be successfully treated by homoeopathy.• Alopecia areata (partial hair loss): This condition is believed to be auto immune in origin. It can be successfully treated with homoeopathy.• Hair loss due to diseases like thyroid problems or diabetes: The homoeopathic approach is to treat the individual at the deepest level, thereby curing the disease. Hair loss being a symptom of that disease will in turn stop. • Poor nutrition: where hair loss is due to deficiencies in diet it will be reversed if the diet is corrected.• From traction or regular use of chemicals or hair treatments: Certain hairstyles like tight braiding can be responsible for hair loss as also excessive and regular use of chemicals. In such cases the cause of hair loss needs to be addressed to.• Scalp infection such as Tinea Capitis can cause hair breakage and damage. These can be successfully treated with Homoeopathy.• Itching and excessive scaling seen in conditions such as dandruff and psoriasis can be treated successfully with Homoeopathic remedies.

Q – What is the effect of the powder given once before starting the pills?A – Your homoeopathic physician may give you a powder or a dose of pills before starting a set of pills for the rest of the week/fortnight/three weeks/month. This initial dose is very important and should not be skipped. Please ensure to follow the directions of your doctor with regard to this dose. This dose helps to start the treatment and make the rest of the medicines more efficacious. Without this dose (where it is given) the treatment will not begin.